Cross-dressing man wanted for attempted robberies arrested

The man who authorities allege attempted to rob the Food Lion on Forest Hill Road and Walmart in Salisbury while dressed as a woman early Monday morning has been arrested.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

The man who authorities allege attempted to rob the Food Lion on Forest Hill Road and Walmart in Salisbury while dressed as a woman early Monday morning has been arrested.Andre Jermal Taylor, 27, of 709 Quail Road, was arrested by the Lexington Police Department late Thursday night after a traffic stop, said Lexington Police Chief Tad Kepley. He was charged with felony attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of misdemeanor larceny for alleged crimes in Lexington. Taylor received a $30,000 secured bond and a court date of May 6 in Lexington District Court.According to the Salisbury Post, Taylor was wanted by the Salisbury Police Department for the charge of felony attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. The newspaper reported Taylor — dressed in a black shirt, jeans, a pink belt and wearing a long-haired wig with pocketbook — entered Walmart about 2:50 a.m. Police said he then entered the checkout line and demanded money from the cashier and said if she resisted he would shoot her. He then put his hand in his pocketbook, the newspaper reported.As the Walmart cashier called for assistance, Taylor fled from the store.About 3:20 a.m. the Lexington Police Department responded to the Food Lion at 140 Forest Hill Road after it received a report of an attempted robbery. An employee reported a man dressed as a woman demanded money from her and threatened the use of a gun. No money or merchandise was taken by the suspect from the store.Maj. Mark Sink of the LPD said the man walked into the store, approached the cashier and demanded money. No injuries were reported, and Sink declined this week to comment on what deterred the man.Lexington Police also charged Taylor with two counts of misdemeanor larcenies for incidences March 18 and 23. He is accused of taking three packs of diapers from Food Lion on Forest Hill Road on March 18 and a purse containing property valued at $178 from a woman March 23, according to arrest warrants.Kepley said the LPD is working with the Salisbury Police Department concerning its case. He said police also will be assisting any other jurisdictions that have similar cases.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

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